Conservation Camp in Marshalls Creek fosters a learning environment

Thursday

Jul 22, 2010 at 2:46 PM

Twenty-eight campers, ages 14 to 18, completed a week-long residential camp participating in a variety of hands-on and classroom programs during the 36th annual Monroe County Conservation Camp. The camp was held this week at Stony Acres, a 119-acre wildlife sanctuary and recreational facility in Marshalls Creek owned by the East Stroudsburg University Alumni Association.

SUSAN JORSTAD

Twenty-eight campers, ages 14 to 18, completed a week-long residential camp participating in a variety of hands-on and classroom programs during the 36th annual Monroe County Conservation Camp. The camp was held this week at Stony Acres, a 119-acre wildlife sanctuary and recreational facility in Marshalls Creek owned by the East Stroudsburg University Alumni Association.

"The initial founders were worried that teenagers didn't understand the resources in the county," said Roger Spotts, environmental education coordinator for Monroe County Conservation District and the head counselor for the annual conservation camp program. "They decided a school or camp during the summer would be a good way to learn from experts. The goal is still to expose kids to environmental issues and resources."

Designed to provide various outdoor opportunities and environmental experiences, the camp is geared to students who enjoy the outdoors, and who want to spend a week learning about wildlife and managing the environment, while also developing interpersonal skills and having a lot of fun.

The campers were exposed to many aspects of the conservation and natural resource fields. Highlights of the week included archery, bird banding, soil and land use, team problem-solving exercises, ropes course, trap shooting, wildlife rehabilitation, water quality studies and a two-day canoe trip on the Delaware River.

"We do a lot of activities for confidence and team-building, such as the ropes course, which build up to the two-day canoe trip," said Spotts. "It really gives them satisfaction that they can accomplish a lot of stuff. The overall experience (beyond environmental education) is valuable — overcoming challenges and trying things they never did before. Gaining confidence."

Many of the campers had previously attended MCEEC's Adventure Camp, and were eager to experience the next level; unlike most of the other programs, students are only eligible to attend Conservation Camp once.

"You learn to trust more — to trust the people belaying you (on the ropes course), and you build good endurance and physical strength. By the end of the week, we're all just really close and everything," said Sara Desantis, who is entering her junior year at East Stroudsburg High School-South. She also has participated in MCEEC's adventure camps the past three years.

The week will culminate tomorrow with a family day and student recognitions by the Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry, Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, Pennsylvania Game Commission, Monroe County Conservation District and the Monroe County Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs.

Held in late July each year, the camp is co-sponsored by Monroe County Conservation District and Monroe County Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs and amply funded by the Kettle Creek Environmental Fund.

Students age 14 to that year's high school graduate are eligible. The fees for this program include a $75 application fee and a $100 camp fee. A limited number of scholarships are available each year.

For information about next year's camp, call the Monroe County Environmental Education Center at 570 629-3061 or visit http://www.mcconservation.org/downloads/PDFs/ConservationCampApp.pdf.

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